ENDOCRINOLOGY

Dr. Hana Alzamil

PITUITARY GLANDS
 Anterior pituitary hormones
 GH
 Physiological functions
 Regulation of GH secretion
 Feedback mechanism
 Factors controlling secretion
 Prolactin
 Physiological functions
 Regulation of prolactin secretion
ENDOCRINE GLAND STIMULI MAY BE
HUMORAL, NEURAL, OR HORMONAL.
 (ADENOHYPOPHYSIS)

 Anterior pituitary
gland
(adenohypophysis)
is connected to
hypothalamus by portal
system: “hypothalamic-
hypophysial portal
vessels”.
ANTERIOR PITUITARY
HORMONES
GROWTH HORMONE
(Somatotropin)
MECHANISM OF ACTION
DIRECT EFFECT
INDIRECT EFFECT
SOMATOMEDINS
FUNCTIONS OF GROWTH
HORMONE:
A) Long term effect
Promotion of growth:
  cellular sizes &  mitosis
  tissue growth & organ size
Indirect effect
Depends on somatomedin ‘insulin– like growth factor
[IGF-I& II] secreted by the liver, which is responsible
for effect of GH on bone & cartilage growth and
increase the synthesis of protein in skeletal
muscles.
MECHANISMS OF BONE
GROWTH
1. Linear growth of long bones:
● Long bones grow in length at epiphyseal cartilages,
causing deposition of New Cartilage (collagen
synthesis) followed by its conversion into bone.
● When bony fusion occurs between shaft &
epiphysis at each end, no further lengthening of
long bone occur.

2. Deposition of New Bone ( cell proliferation) on

surfaces of older bone & in some bone cavities,
 thickness of bone.
● Occurs in membranous bones, e.g. jaw, &
skull bones.
 BONE GROWTH

Epiphysis

Diaphysis

Bone growth Compact

bone
Dividing chondrocytes

Chondrocyte
Chondrocytes

Direction of growth
Cartilage
Old chondrocytes
Epiphyseal plate

Osteoblast
Diaphysis Osteoblasts Newly
calcified
bone
PROMOTION OF GROWTH
FUNCTIONS OF GROWTH HORMONE:
B. Short term
Metabolic effects:
 Protein metabolism (Anabolic)
 rate of protein synthesis in all cells through:
  amino acids transport into cells
 DNA transcription= RNA synthesis
 RNA translation= protein synthesis
 ↓protein catabolism “protein sparer”
FUNCTIONS OF GROWTH HORMONE:
 Fat metabolism: Catabolic
 mobilization of FFAs from
adipose tissue stores
 Conversion of FFT to acetyl CoA
to provide energy
FUNCTIONS OF GROWTH HORMONE:
 CHO metabolism: Hyperglycemic
  glucose uptake by tissues
(skeletal muscles and fat).
  rate of glucose utilization
throughout the body
 glucose production by the liver
( gluconeogenesis)
  insulin resistance (FFA)
(diabetogenic )
OTHER EFFECTS OF GROWTH
HORMONE:

 Increases calcium absorption from GIT

 Strengthens and increases the
mineralization of bone
 Retention of Na+ and K+
 Increases muscle mass
 Stimulates the growth of all internal
organs excluding the brain
 Contributes to the maintenance and
function of pancreatic islets
 Stimulates the immune system
CONTROL OF GH SECRETION:
1. The hypothalamus:
a. GHRH   GH secretion.
b. GHIH (somatostatin)   GH secretion
2. Hypoglycemia (fasting)  GH secretion.
(N.B. glucose intake   GH secretion).
3. Muscular exercise   GH secretion.
4. Intake of protein or amino acids   GH
secretion (after meals).
CONTROL OF GH SECRETION:
5. During sleep   more in children.
6. Stress conditions, e.g. trauma or emotions
  GH secretion.

7. FFAs   GH secretion
8. Grelin (stomach)  GH secretion.
 ABNORMALITIES OF GH SECRETION
 GH SECRETION:
 Signs & symptoms  Signs & symptoms
‘in adults’:
‘in childhood’: Acromegally,
Gigantism, person can’t grow taller, BUT
soft tissue continue to grow in
 as all body tissues grow thickness (skin, tongue, liver,
rapidly, including bones. kidney, …)
Height  as it occurs - Enlargement of bones of hands
before epiphyseal fusion & feet.
of long bones with their - Enlargement of membranous
bones including cranium, nose,
shafts. forehead bones, supraorbital
Hyperglycemia ridges.
- Protrusion of lower jaw.
(diabetes).
- Hunched back (kyphosis)
(enlargement of vertebrae).
GH IN CHILDREN
GH IN AN ADULT
GH = PITUITARY DWARFISM
PROLACTIN
FUNCTIONS OF PROLACTIN
The major function of
prolactin is milk production
• Release is inhibited by PIH (dopamine)

• Suckling response inhibits PIH release

Oxytocin

Prolactin
FUNCTIONS OF PROLACTIN
 Effect on the breast
 Increases mRNA
 Increases production of casein and lactalbumin
 Other effects
 Stimulates the secretion of dopamine in median
eminence (inhibits its own secretion)
 Inhibits the effects of gonadotropins
CONTROL OF SECRETION
 PIH (Dopamine) inhibit its secretion
 Exercise increases PRL secretion
 Surgical & psychological stress increases PRL
secretion
 Stimulation of the nipple increases PRL
secretion
 During Sleep Prolactin level rises
 During pregnancy prolactin level rises
 TRH increases PRL secretion
Thank you